Tarot Basics The Major Arcana Part 7

This is the seventh and final part of an ongoing series that gives a basic introduction to the Major Arcana. These few posts are an open invitation to learn more about Tarot reading and to give my readers a very basic introduction to the Tarot Cards themselves.

In case you missed earlier pasts are:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti

THE MOON

A dog and a wolf look up mesmerised by the rising moon. Between them, a lobster crawls out of its watery home and begins a journey along a path towards some distant mountains.

Headline: In Dreams do we See.
Card Number: 18 (XVIII)
Element: Water
Colour: Violet-Red
Symbols - A dog, a lobster, mountains, a path, pillars & a wolf.

Natural Meaning

A bad influence.
Dreams (& nightmares), visions, spiritual experiences.
Illusions, hidden things, mystery, falsehoods, deception, secrets.
Increased psychic ability.
Insecurity, disillusionment.
Mental confusion, lacking clarity.
Unforeseen perils.

Reverse Meaning

Insomnia or unusual sleeping patterns.
Psychic insights you may not understand.
Revelations (secrets being revealed), hidden things are now visible.
Unusual dreams.

THE SUN

A young child waves a red banner while riding a horse on a hot summer's day. Behind the child is a wall with a number of sunflowers growing tall and showing over the high wall.

Headline: I’m Alive!
Card Number: 19 (XIX)
Element: Fire
Colour: Orange
Symbols - A child, a horse, the sun, sunflowers & a wall.

Natural Meaning

Attainment of personal goals, success, achievements.
Blessings, good fortune.
Enlightenment, clear thinking.
Good times.
Joy, happiness, contentment.
Life, energy.
Pleasant weather.
Satisfaction, accomplishment.

Reverse Meaning

Delayed success/happiness.
Partial success.
Poor health (physical or emotional), reduced vitality.
Sadness.
Things are not as great as they seem, false impressions.
The loss of things of value (not always monetary value).
Uncertainty of future plans.

JUDGEMENT

An angel plays a clarion call from the clouds over a necropolis. The dead rise up from their tombs in response to the call and stand to hear the call.
Headline: Rise up and go about your Business.
Card Number: 20 (XX)
Element: Fire
Colour: Red
Symbols - An angel, a trumpet or horn, ice & tombs.

Natural Meaning

Redemption.
An awakening.
A rite of passage.
Decision making.
A calling (career or spiritual).
The end of an era.
A period of transition.
Atonement (to repent and forgive).

Reverse Meaning

Ignoring a calling.
Avoiding a decision.
Self-doubt.
Delay.
Doing what you know is wrong.
Disappointment.
Being constrained by fear.

THE WORLD

A woman bearing two wands is encircled by a wreath that is held together by a lemniscate at top and bottom. on clouds surrounding the wreath are an eagle, a lion, a bull and an angel.
Headline: The Rewards at Journey’s End.
Card Number: 21 (XXI)
Element: Earth
Colour: Violet-Blue
Symbols - An angel, a bird, a bull, lemniscates, a lion & a wreath.

Natural Meaning

Completion/wholeness.
Fulfilment.
Positive outcomes.
Total success.
Journey’s end/achievement of goals.

Reverse Meaning

Plans falling through.
Not completing needful tasks.
Important transitions are interrupted.
Inertia/non-movement.
Unfinished business/delayed success.
Stuck in a rut/stagnation.

The Lemniscate

This is a symbol of infinity, an unending track in the shape of a figure eight upon it's side.

IF you are interested in Tarot reading, you may find this post interesting: Your First Tarot Deck

This is a link to my beginners guide to Tarot reading: The Aincient Oracle. Available in both paperback and ebook versions, it is a book written so as to be understandable and keep the jargon and language to a minimum. It is a complete guide to starting tarot reading and intends to turn the newcomer into a competent reader at that person's own pace.